Aston Villa have agreed a fee with Parma to sign goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, according to The Athletic.
After days of negotiations, the Premier League club have had a bid accepted worth an initial £26million that could rise to £30m.
The signing of a new goalkeeper was necessitated by Emiliano Martinez’s desire to leave Villa Park this summer. Martinez is a long-time target for Serie A giants Juventus and the clubs are close to agreeing a deal that will see the Argentina international move to Turin.
Juve are reportedly wiling to pay £6m up front for 33-year-old Martinez and a further £2.5m in add-ons. Villa want the full £8.5m up front but it is expected some middle ground will be found and Martinez will end his six-year spell in the West Midlands.
Suzuki always Villa’s first choice
Suzuki would be an intriguing acquisition should the deal go through. The Japan international saw a possible move to Paris Saint-Germain fall through earlier this summer and, at 23 years of age, has plenty of upside.
He was born in the United States to a Ghanian father and Japanese mother and grew up in Urawa.
Suzuki came through the youth system at local club Urawa Red Diamonds before joining Belgian side Sint-Truidense, initially on loan before signing permanently in 2024.
His spell in the Pro League was short as he switched to Parma five months later.
Suzuki made his Japan debut in 2022 and started all four games for his country at the 2026 World Cup as Japan reached the round of 32 before losing to Brazil.
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